The peak systolic velocity value averaged from both ICA and VA was used, as well. Intima-media thickness was measured on the far wall of the right and left common carotid artery, the carotid bulb,

and the ICA [13]. The carotid intima-media thickness was defined as the mean of intima-media thickness measurements at these six sites. Quality of life was estimated from The ‘Minnesota – Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire’ [14]. The Tei index is defined as the sum of isovolumic contraction and relaxation time divided by the ejection time. This index is a sensitive indicator of overall cardiac dysfunction in patients with mild-to-moderate CHF [15]. Descriptive ALK inhibitor review statistics were presented as mean values with standard deviation or median with interquartile range for numeric variables, or as absolute numbers with percentages for categorical variables. Evaluation of normality was performed with Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Student t-test was used to calculate differences between

mean values. Mann–Whitney see more U-test was used to determine differences between median values. The Pearson coefficient was used for measuring linear correlation between variables. Partial correlation analysis was performed to adjust for age and body mass index. Finally, since variables are inter-related, multivariate regression analysis, backward method, was performed to assess the independent variables that may explain CBF. A p value 50.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software for Windows, version 15 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The basic clinical and biohumoral parameters of studied subjects are shown in Table 1. Atrial Cell press fibrillation was noted in 31%, left bundle branch block in 25%, while

pacemaker was implanted in 9% of patients with CHF. History of myocardial infarction was presented in 63% of patients. Angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors were presented in 80% of patients, 75% were on b-blockers, 80% of patients were on loop diuretics, 55% were on spironolactone, 65% were on aspirin and 27% on statins. No differences in age, waist/hip ratio, body mass index and lipid profile were found between patients with CHF and healthy subjects. Color duplex sonography of neck arteries and echocardiogaphic measurements in studied subjects are presented in Table 1. CBF was decreased in patients with CHF, while there was no difference in resistance index between studied groups. CBF decreased according to NYHA class (p < 0.0001), with those in NYHA class III having level of CBF 542 ± 104 ml/min that was 25% lower than CBF in NYHA class II patients (719 ± 166 ml/min). Carotid intima-media thickness was significantly greater in patients with CHF compared to healthy controls. Echocardiographic variables of systolic and diastolic function were impaired in patients with CHF. CBF in patients with CHF was positively correlated with decreased LVEF ( Fig. 1).